John 'The Warrior' Waldron is the new light-heavyweight champion of Ireland.
He decisively beat Limerick man Jamie Power on Saturday night in Limerick to claim the previously vacant belt.
Waldron, originally from Ballyhaunis, put on an impressive show and looked very calm and controlled in what was only his seventh professional fight.
There was a tentative start to the bout, with both fighters feeling each other out for the first four or five minutes. Power was working a left hook to Waldron's body when he could get inside, but Waldron seemed to keep his punches well measured, working the left jab and following that with some good right crosses.
Towards the end of the second it looked like it was going to be an early night when Waldron planted an overhand right straight on the chin of Power. Power did well to stay upright and for a while his legs were wobbly. He held off Waldron's attack and made it to the bell.
In the third Power recovered and was again coming forward. Waldron kept working the jab and was moving well around the ring. A right from Waldron straight to the jaw in the fourth round put Power down onto his knees. He got a standing eight-count and seemed to be fine.
Again in the fifth, Power found himself on the canvas. He seemed to be walking straight into the right of Waldron. Power came back and stuck a great left on Waldron, which shook him and the two traded for a while.
As the fight wore on, Waldron seemed to be the man in control. Power had trouble getting range but kept coming forward. Waldron kept him at bay with the left jab and followed that with right crosses.
There was not much Power could do to get close; he was throwing wild shots, some which landed, but he couldn't get any combinations together.
Neither fighter had previously gone a 10 round distance. Power seemed to tire a bit more than Waldron who kept plugging away nice and steady.
By the last round Power knew he was beaten on points and had to go for a KO but Waldron held him off. One particular jab threw Power's head back and Waldron stayed composed winning the fight with an honest score of 97 to 91.